Ghanian flag-raising Saturday in Lowell

By April Huff, Correspondent

Updated:
03/08/2013 06:33:02 AM EST

LOWELL -- In 2001, Gordon Halm started a flag-raising ceremony that mirrors the ceremony in his native Ghana celebrating its independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. Back then, Halm, an active leader in the city's African community, and believed the ceremony could grow.

"When I started the Ghanian Independence service at our church, many of the people from other African countries would be invited, too," he said in the book, The Big Move: Immigrant Voices from a Mill City. "I thought, if I'm able to put all this together, why don't we create a festival."

Over the years, the modest church gathering has evolved into a community event. Today, hundreds attend, including community leaders from other African countries and Lowell, UMass Lowell students from Ghana, including members of the U.S. military. The community will hold its 12th annual flag-raising ceremony from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at City Hall.

Halm started the ceremony for people and friends from Ghana to celebrate independence and their traditions.

Rich in natural resources, Ghana had been occupied by European forces since the 15th century. Kwame Nkrumah, the leader of the revolution and Ghana's first president, "realized we have all the natural resources that we need to be our own country," said Charles Nyarko, a member of the Ghanian community and an organizer of the Lowell ceremony.

"We have gold, we have diamonds, we have cocoa so we fought to be independent."

The festival, Nyarko said, links young people to their history and traditions.

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Children of Ghanian descent play an active role in the celebration.

Performers from the Ghanian community dress in kente, traditional Ghanian clothing worn by royalty. The performers dance, play the drums and sing songs originally sung by Ghanian warriors in battle.

The purpose is to "extend back to (Ghana), to enjoy peace, love, unity and freedom," Nyarko said.

Following the performance, children of those from Ghana raise the flag.

"We want to get children involved. (This year) a 9-year-old girl who has never traveled to Ghana will sing the national anthem which is really, really cool," Halm said.

The event is to "teach (children) about their forefathers' traditions ... to make sure children know their culture. We don't want them to forget their culture," Nyarko said.

After the ceremony, the celebration will continue at the Mayor's reception hall. Ghanian specials, such as fried plantains and a cake displaying the flag of Ghana, will be served. Halm plans to meet with city officials to discuss the role of the Ghanian community in the Lowell.

"City Hall has embraced the (Ghanaian) community," Halm said.

He would like to see "how we can be of help ... to give the Ghanian community a voice in Lowell."

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